ARCHOS VR may be the cheapest VR goggles yet

posted by Paul.K / Oct 20, 2014, 2:41 AM

Yet another company is about to make its entry into the VR market and it's France-based ARCHOS. Known for manufacturing budget-oriented mobile devices, the company stays true to its own style and has announced that it will be releasing a VR headset that will cost $29.99. This is quite an impressive feat, seeing as Google's DIY Cardboard project is said to set you back ~$50.

The best part about the ARCHOS VR is that it is supposed to work with any phone, as long as it's smaller than 6", and running any of the 3 major operating systems – Android, iOS, and WP. To top it off, ARCHOS also claims that the headset is compatible with all VR applications, which should sort out the “developer support” question. ARCHOS will also be releasing a companion Video Player app, which will allow users to watch movies in stereoscopic mode.

The headset may not be as pretty as Samsung's upcoming Gear VR or ZEISS' recently announced goggles (also compatible with a wide range of devices, but only if you purchase additional trays), but the ARCHOS definitely beats the competition in terms of price and out-of-the-box compatibility.

The manufacturer says that the device will be available for purchase this November and will be sold through www.archos.com. So, if you want to try out some VR goodness this holiday, but in no way wish to break the bank – maybe you should give ARCHOS a whirl.

Of course, ARCHOS does recommend you use a quad-core powered handset with a 5” 1080p screen for best results, so keep that in mind.

Update: As reported by one of our readers - the unit is a rebranded model, originally made by China-based manufacturer "NEJE". Still, NEJE only lists the

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Posts: 724; Member since: Jun 10, 2014

posted on Oct 20, 2014, 2:53 AM 1

Posts: 294; Member since: Jul 17, 2014

Good point. In ARCHOS' words "Coupled with a smartphone (up to 6 inch...". We will assume it's about screen size, though, as we are guessing that the phone holder can probably take bulky devices, whereas the lenses don't seem to be designed (and it wouldn't make sense for them) to move around.

Posts: 285; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

posted on Oct 20, 2014, 2:58 AM 2

Posts: 724; Member since: Jun 10, 2014

So, could I entice anyone into giving a brief explanation as to what these goggles would be useful for? I can't seem to find any website actually explaining what/how vr goggles can do... Videos? Gaming? Yes, but how do they change the experience?

posted on Oct 20, 2014, 5:13 AM 0

Posts: 70; Member since: Aug 27, 2014

you can play some games designed for VR headset(not much games).
You can watch videos in it like if you are watching it in cinema.
And maybe you can also watch videos with larger screen(virtually) even if you are having 5" inch screen.You will see 75"inch screen rather than 5"inch.
You can use it to have fun sitting in Roller coaster.And might also fall from your seat like this:www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ignn19Ajvs

posted on Oct 20, 2014, 7:09 AM 0

Posts: 419; Member since: Sep 19, 2014

I can't post links yet but when you copy and paste the link below, it should work too.
Here are two short scenes shown with the Gear VR. Of course the video can't show the depth and scale of what the user would usualy see. The screen on the moon is huge like a cinema screen and the second scene with a Circle du soleil showng feels like you are there.
youtube.com/watch?v=SVwNz4_NbRw&feature=youtu.be&t​=0s

posted on Oct 20, 2014, 6:44 AM 0

Posts: 1; Member since: Oct 20, 2014

Looks identical to the colorcross headset thats been out a while now and I have. Looks like Archos probably just bought a load and rebranded it. Though its a step up in construction from Google cardboard it as a few things that let it down. The 1st major issue is the phone is set too far away from your eyes. This gives the effect of looking at a large tv from a couple of meters away , or you are looking down a tunel. You lose the sence of immersion you get with other headsets like cardboard which are set closer and fill your field of view. The lenses are awful, lots of edge distortion. Unless these have been changed from the cheap plastic ones. On a plus lots of phones fit. Though it looks OK, fits not bad. I would go for something else... It gives you far from the best VR experience you can get from a phone.

posted on Oct 20, 2014, 7:40 AM 0

Posts: 419; Member since: Sep 19, 2014

Archos VR and Zeiss VR One = Google Cardboard, Durovis Dive, Homido, Altergaze, Chinavision Revelation ect.
Nothing special and similar to the VR Headsets which are already on the market since a couple of months.
Gear VR has special Oculus sensors/trackers which are 5-10 times faster than the ones used in Smartphones. And special software which also bypasses the Android system and uses the hardwarelevel of the cpu to achieve low latencies of under 20 ms which otherwise was only achieved with the PC connected Oculus Rift, when everything is optimized for it.
Also with the Amoled display of the Note 4 low persistence is possible (what an LCD display such as the one of the iphone 6, can not achieve), the high resolution and fast processor of the Note 4 and the great VR content are other advantages.

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